OTTAWA’S ISA-CERTIFIED TREE REMOVAL SPECIALISTS
500+ Tree Removals. Zero Property Damage Claims. Ottawa’s Most Trusted Arborists Since 2018.
Tree removal is one of the most dangerous and technical services you can hire for — one wrong cut can damage your home, injure someone, or trigger a five-figure insurance claim. Green Thumb’s ISA-Certified Arborists have completed 500+ removals across Ottawa and the surrounding region with a perfect zero-damage record. Fully insured, WSIB covered, locally owned, and available 24/7 for emergencies.
- 500+ tree removals completed across Ottawa, with a perfect zero-damage record
- ISA Certified Arborist + Arboriculture Canada Trained on every job
- Fully insured with WSIB coverage — your property and our crew are protected
- 24/7 emergency response — we’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area
- Permit experts — average City of Ottawa approval in 2 weeks (industry standard: 4–6 weeks)
- Owner-led — Riley personally inspects every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work
★★★★★
Trusted by Ottawa-area homeowners.
Trusted by Ottawa-area homeowners.
500+
Successful Removals
Successful Removals
Zero
Property Damage Claims in 7+ Years
Property Damage Claims in 7+ Years
Request Your Free Tree Removal
Free on-site assessment by an ISA-Certified Arborist. No pressure, no obligation.
Free on-site assessment by an ISA-Certified Arborist. No pressure, no obligation.
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Trusted By Ottawa Homeowners Across The Region
The Stats That Set Us Apart
Numbers Other Ottawa Tree Companies Can’t Match
When you hire a tree removal company, you’re not buying a service — you’re buying a track record. Here’s ours.
UNMATCHED 500+
Successful tree removals completed across Ottawa, Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Nepean, and the entire surrounding region.
PERFECT RECORD ZERO
Property damage claims in 7+ years of operation. Not luck — methodology. Professional rigging, ANSI-standard cranes, and ISA-certified planning on every job.
3X FASTER 2 WEEKS
Average City of Ottawa tree permit approval through us — compared to the 4–6 week industry standard. We know the bylaw and the City inside out.
ALWAYS ON 120+
Emergency tree removals personally managed by Riley during the region’s worst ice storms. We’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area.
What’s Included
Even More Reasons To Choose Green Thumb For Tree Removal
Real value built into every Green Thumb removal — no gimmicks, no hidden fees, no upselling.
Free On-Site Assessment & Written Quote
Your ISA-Certified Arborist visits your property, evaluates your trees, and provides honest recommendations and a written quote — completely free, no obligation.
MOST POPULAR
Full Permit Handling Included
We prepare arborist reports, manage permit applications, and handle every City communication on your behalf. Average approval: 2 weeks vs. industry standard 4–6 weeks.
PERMIT-READY
Round-The-Clock Emergency Service
A tree on your house at 2 AM? A hazardous limb after an ice storm? We’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area. Call any hour, any day.
24/7 GUARANTEE
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Riley personally inspects every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work. You don’t get a salesman quoting and a stranger doing the work — you get the same certified arborist throughout.
INSURED
Founded 2018 | Locally Owned | ISA Certified
Why Ottawa Homeowners Trust Green Thumb For Tree Removal
Tree removal is not a job for the cheapest contractor with a chainsaw. Credentials, insurance, and a track record matter — because when something goes wrong on a removal, the cost lands on your property and your homeowner’s policy.
Tree Permit Experts
By law, any tree 30 cm (about 12 inches) in diameter on your property requires a City permit before removal. We prepare arborist reports, manage permits, and handle all permit communications with the City. Average permit approval: 2 weeks, compared to the 4–6 week industry standard. We know the rules. We handle the process. You stay compliant and protected from fines.
ISA Certified & Arboriculture Canada Trained
Our team holds ISA Certified Arborist credentials and completes ongoing training through Arboriculture Canada and ISA continuing education programs. We stay current with the latest tree care techniques, disease management, and safety protocols — so we safely handle removals that others hesitate to undertake.
Zero-Damage Methodology
We use professional rigging, rope systems, and industry-leading equipment, including bucket trucks and cranes that meet ANSI safety standards. Every branch and log is lowered to the ground safely and in a controlled manner. No trees crashing into decks. No property damage. Zero damage claims across 500+ removals. That’s not luck — that’s methodology.
Local Expertise
We know the city’s tree species, seasonal challenges, and neighbourhood regulations. Ice storms? We’ve been called out the same day other companies stopped answering, and we’ve never turned down an emergency in our service area. Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm Disease? We assess, treat, and remove affected trees every month.
Owner-Led By A Certified Arborist
Riley Sheldrick, our founder and lead ISA-Certified Arborist, personally inspects every high-risk removal and is on-site for all critical work. He has personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst ice storms. You don’t get a salesman quoting and a stranger doing the work — you get the same expert from start to finish.
Every Removal Is Different
5 Types Of Tree Removal We Handle Across Ottawa & The Surrounding Region
Every tree removal is unique. Size, location, surrounding obstacles, permits, and condition all determine the right approach. Our ISA-Certified Arborists assess each situation and apply the right method for safe, efficient removal.
Standard Residential Tree Removal
The most common service. Removing healthy or unwanted trees from your yard, driveway, or property line using proper felling techniques and complete cleanup. Ideal for trees with clear space to drop safely.
Large & Complex Tree Removal
80-foot hardwoods beside houses. Trees over fences, decks, gardens, or power lines. These removals demand technical rigging, sectional top-down dismantling, and sometimes a crane. This is where ISA certification and hands-on experience really matter — and where unqualified contractors cause the most damage.
Permit-Regulated Tree Removal
Removing a tree with a trunk diameter of 30 cm or more on your Ottawa property legally requires a permit before any cut is made. We prepare the arborist report, manage the application, communicate with the City, and only schedule the removal once approval is in hand. Average turnaround: 2 weeks.
24/7 Emergency & Storm Tree Removal
A tree on your house. A split trunk after an ice storm. A leaning tree that just shifted overnight. We’ve personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst weather events — and we’ve never turned down an emergency call in our service area.
Diseased & Pest-Affected Tree Removal
Emerald Ash Borer. Dutch Elm Disease. We diagnose, assess, and remove affected trees regularly — preventing disease spread to healthy trees on your property and your neighbours’.
Not sure what your situation calls for? Get a free on-site assessment from our ISA-Certified Arborist.
What You Get With Every Green Thumb Tree Removal
Complete service from the first phone call to the final cleanup. No surprises. No hidden charges.
Free On-Site Consultation By an ISA-Certified Arborist
Safe Sectional Top-Down Dismantling for Large Trees
Written Quote With Transparent Pricing
Full City of Ottawa Permit Handling (When Required)
Professional Rigging, Bucket Trucks & ANSI-Standard Cranes
Comprehensive Insurance & WSIB Coverage on Every Job
Full Site Cleanup — Brush Chipped, Debris Hauled Off, Yard Raked
Post-Job Follow-Up Call By Emily To Confirm Your Satisfaction
Owner-Operated
Meet The Team working To Your Property
Riley Sheldrick
Founder & Lead Arborist ISA Certified Arborist | Arboriculture Canada Trained | 10+ Years Experience
Riley founded Green Thumb Tree Specialists in 2018 after years in the industry — frustrated by how larger companies treated homeowners with unclear pricing, property damage, and poor communication. He built Green Thumb around a different standard. Today, Riley specializes in the most demanding removals: 80-foot trees beside houses, permit-regulated trees in tight urban spaces, and same-day emergency storm response. He has personally managed 120+ emergency removals during the region’s worst ice storms and handles every complex permit application through the Tree Protection By-law process himself. He personally assesses every high-risk job and is on-site for all critical work.
Emily Sheldrick
Operations & Client Care
Emily joined Green Thumb Tree Specialists in 2020 and manages every client experience from the first call to the final cleanup — scheduling, permit coordination, crew communications, and post-job follow-ups. She is the single point of contact between our clients and the City during the approval process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Every client receives a follow-up call after job completion to confirm they’re satisfied.
Our Tree Removal Process
01
Free On-Site Assessment
Your ISA-Certified Arborist arrives, evaluates the tree’s condition, reviews site access, identifies any hazards, and explains your options. You receive a clear written quote before any work is scheduled.
02
Permit Handling (If Required)
For trees 30 cm or larger in diameter, we prepare the arborist report, manage the City of Ottawa permit application, and handle every City communication on your behalf. Average approval: 2 weeks.
03
Safe, Methodical Removal
Our crew uses professional rigging, bucket trucks, and ANSI-standard cranes to dismantle large trees top-down — section by section. Every branch and log is lowered safely. Zero damage to your structures, fences, or gardens.
04
Full Cleanup & Follow-Up
Once the tree is down, we chip the brush, haul all debris off-site, and rake the area clean. Then Emily personally follows up to confirm everything met our standard. We don’t disappear after the chainsaws stop.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
You Need A Tree Removal If…
A hazardous tree does not get better on its own — and waiting too long puts your property and family at risk. Ottawa’s freeze-thaw cycles, ice storms, and heavy snow loads only make weak trees more dangerous.
01 The tree has become infested with pests like Emerald Ash Borer
02 The tree is dead and decaying
03 The tree is leaning more than it used to, or recently shifted
04 There are visible cracks in the trunk
05 The tree has fallen over or been damaged in a storm
06 It has become a safety hazard to your home, family, or neighbours
07 The tree is growing too close to your house, garage, or power lines
08 You can see fungal growth, peeling bark, or root heaving at the base
09 A previous arborist has already recommended removal
Every season you wait is another season the risk grows — and another storm closer to a worst-case scenario. Get a free, honest assessment now.
Tree Removal In Ottawa — Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Free Tree Removal Quote Today
500+ successful removals. Zero damage claims. ISA-Certified Arborists led by Riley Sheldrick personally. Whether it’s a hazardous tree threatening your home, a permit-regulated removal, or a storm emergency at midnight — Green Thumb is the team Ottawa trusts
✓ ISA Certified Arborist ✓ WSIB & Fully Insured ✓ 500+ Removals, Zero Damage Claims ✓ 24/7 Emergency Service ✓ Family-Owned Since 2018